Latest from OSCE Special Monitoring Mission (SMM) to Ukraine, based on information received as of 19:30, 20 December 2016

This report is for the media and the general public.

The SMM recorded fewer ceasefire violations in Donetsk and Luhansk regions compared with the previous reporting period, while recording some 730 explosions in Donetsk region. The majority of ceasefire violations, including the use of multiple-launch rocket systems, artillery and mortar, were concentrated in the Svitlodarsk-Debaltseve-Horlivka area. The SMM followed up on reports of shelling in Sakhanka and Kalynove. The SMM continued monitoring the three disengagement areas in Stanytsia Luhanska, Zolote and Petrivske, and its access was again restricted.* The Mission observed proscribed weapons in violation of the respective withdrawal lines on both sides of the contact line. The SMM monitored a border crossing point currently not under government control in Luhansk region. In Kyiv and Ivano-Frankivsk the SMM observed peaceful gatherings.

The SMM recorded fewer ceasefire violations[1] in Donetsk region, including some 730 explosions, compared with about 1,000 explosions in the previous reporting period. The majority of ceasefire violations were recorded in the areas around Svitlodarsk, Debaltseve and Horlivka (57, 58 and 39 north-east of Donetsk, respectively).

During the evening of 19 December, while in government-controlled Svitlodarsk, the SMM heard, within 22 minutes, 71 explosions assessed as outgoing 152mm artillery rounds 6km south-east and 5km south. During the morning of 20 December, while in the same location, the SMM heard 70 explosions assessed as outgoing 152mm artillery rounds 5-6km north-west, north and north-east, four explosions assessed as outgoing tank rounds 3-5km south-east, 39 explosions assessed as the impacts of 120mm mortar rounds 3-5km south-west and south-east, and 64 explosions assessed as outgoing rounds from a recoilless gun (SPG-9, 73mm) or an infantry fighting vehicle (IFV; BMP-1) cannon (73mm) 3-5km south. On the evening of that day, the SMM heard 45 explosions assessed as outgoing 122mm artillery rounds 4-5km south-east.

During the evening of 19 December, while in “DPR”-controlled Debaltseve, the SMM heard, within one hour, 133 undetermined explosions 8-15km north-west. During the morning of 20 December while at the same location, the SMM heard 27 undetermined explosions 5-7km north-north-west and north. Positioned in “DPR”-controlled Vuhlehirsk (49km north-east of Donetsk), the SMM heard 173 undetermined explosions 6-10km north-north-west and 19 undetermined explosions 6-8km north-east.

During the evening of 19 December, while in “DPR”-controlled Horlivka, the SMM heard seven undetermined explosions 5-10km north-west and one undetermined explosion 5-10km south-west. During the day on 20 December positioned at the north-eastern outskirts of Horlivka, the SMM heard two outgoing salvos of multiple-launch rocket systems (MLRS), 40 explosions of 152mm artillery rounds, and eight undetermined explosions, all 5-10km east-south-east. Positioned in government-controlled Maiorsk (45km north-east of Donetsk) the SMM heard six explosions assessed as 120mm mortar rounds 5km east.

Positioned in “DPR”-controlled Yasynuvata (16km north-east of Donetsk) for over four hours, the SMM heard four bursts of small-arms fire 2-3km north-west. On the afternoon of 20 December the SMM camera in government-controlled Avdiivka ( 17km north of Donetsk) recorded 68 undetermined projectiles (58 in flight from west to east and ten from east to west) beginning with three undetermined projectiles from west to east, all 4-6km south-east of the camera. The same camera also recorded 11 explosions assessed as the impacts of undetermined projectiles and one airburst 4-6km south-east of the camera.

In Luhansk region the SMM observed fewer ceasefire violations (49 shots) compared with the previous reporting period (one explosion and 58 shots). Positioned in “LPR”-controlled Veselohorivka (64km west of Luhansk) the SMM heard eight shots of small-arms fire at an undetermined distance north-east.

The SMM followed up on reports of shelling. In “DPR”-controlled Sakhanka (24km north-east of Mariupol) the SMM, accompanied by a “DPR” member and Russian Federation Armed Forces officer of the Joint Centre for Control and Co-ordination (JCCC), observed a fresh cater on a ground 15m west from a road – about 400m south from an inhabited house – and assessed it as caused by an 82mm mortar round fired from a north-westerly direction. The “DPR” member told the SMM that shelling had occurred just after midnight of 19-20 December. In “LPR”-controlled Kalynove (60km west of Luhansk) the SMM, accompanied by armed men, observed two fresh craters in a field at location 100m south from their position. The SMM assessed one as caused by an 82mm mortar round and the other as caused by a 152mm artillery round, both fired from a westerly direction.

The SMM continued to monitor the disengagement process and to pursue full access to the disengagement areas of Stanytsia Luhanska (16km north-east of Luhansk), Zolote (60km west of Luhansk) and Petrivske (41km south of Donetsk), as foreseen in the Framework Decision of the Trilateral Contact Group relating to disengagement of forces and hardware of 21 September. The SMM’s access to all three areas remained restricted, but the Mission was able to partially monitor them.* The SMM noted no demining or fencing off of mines in any of the three areas during the reporting period.

The SMM crossed the Zolote-Pervomaisk main road in the disengagement area from north to south and back. Positioned in “LPR”-controlled Zolote-5 (61km north-west of Luhansk) the SMM heard 32 shots of small-arms fire 1km north (assessed as outside disengagement area).

In the Petrivske disengagement area, the SMM noted a calm situation.

The SMM continued to monitor the withdrawal of weapons, in implementation of the Package of Measures and its Addendum, as well as the Memorandum.

In violation of the withdrawal lines the SMM observed in government-controlled areas: four stationary self-propelled howitzers (2S3 Akatsiya, 152mm) in Donske (57km south of Donetsk); three stationary self-propelled howitzers (2S1 Gvozdika, 122mm) in Anadol (39km north of Mariupol); and one tank (T-80) loaded on a flatbed trailer heading south-east near Svitlodarsk. The SMM observed in “LPR”-controlled areas: four towed howitzers (D-20, 152mm) each towed by a military-type truck heading south in Brianka (46km south-west of Luhansk); and one tank (T-64) loaded on a transporter heading south-west in Vesela Tarasivka (17km west of Luhansk).

Beyond withdrawal lines but outside assigned sites, the SMM observed one tank (T-64) loaded on a trailer heading south near government-controlled Kalynove (formerly Kalinine, 65km south-west of Donetsk).

The SMM observed weapons that could not be verified as withdrawn, as their storage does not comply with the criteria set out in the 16 October 2015 notification. In government-controlled areas the SMM observed 26 self-propelled howitzers (18 2S1 and eight 2S3). The SMM noted as missing: one self-propelled howitzer (2S1) (as first noted on 22 November 2016); and 20 self-propelled howitzers (2S3) (one as first noted on 23 March, seven as first noted on 22 July and 12 as first noted on 25 November 2016).  

The SMM revisited a Ukrainian Armed Forces permanent storage site whose location corresponded with the withdrawal lines. The SMM noted that the site continued to be abandoned with missing: 18 tanks (seven T-72 and 11 T-64) and two mortars (2B9 Vasilek, 82mm) (as first noted on 17 March 2016).

The SMM observed armoured combat vehicles and anti-aircraft weapons[2] in the security zone. In government-controlled areas, the SMM observed: one IFV (BMP-1) and one anti-aircraft gun (ZU-23), each loaded on a truck heading north-west near Maiorsk (45km north-east of Donetsk); two stationary IFVs (BMP-2) near Stanytsia Luhanska (outside the disengagement area); one stationary anti-aircraft gun (ZU-23) near Popasna (69km west of Luhansk). On 14 December, an SMM mini unmanned aerial vehicle spotted one stationary IFV (BRM-1K) in Stanytsia Luhanska (inside the disengagement area). Near “LPR”-controlled Brianka, the SMM observed one anti-aircraft gun (ZU-23) loaded on a military-type truck heading south.

South of the southernmost Ukrainian Armed Forces position on Stanytsia Luhanska bridge the SMM observed fresh remnants of the tail and the warhead of a rocket-propelled grenade (RPG-7) and remnants of multiple bullets (12.7mm), which the SMM assessed as having been moved there.

The SMM continued to facilitate and monitor repairs to essential infrastructure, co-ordinated by the JCCC. Near government-controlled Orikhove (57km north-west of Luhansk), the SMM observed a railway company conducting regular maintenance and repair on railway tracks.

The SMM facilitated and monitored demining activities for the repair works to the Popasna-Marivka railway line north of government-controlled Popasna. The demining activities were conducted by five workers of a railways company.

The SMM monitored the Ukraine-Russian Federation border in an area currently not controlled by the Government. While present for 75 minutes in Dovzhanskyi (84km south-east of Luhansk), the SMM observed three pedestrians, 14 civilian cars (12 with Ukrainian licence plates and two with Russian Federation licence plates) two covered trucks (one with Ukrainian licence plates and another with Russian Federation licence plates) and two buses (both with Ukrainian licence plates) enter Ukraine. During its observation the SMM saw two pedestrians, 20 civilian cars (14 with Ukrainian licence plates and six with Russian Federation licence plates), four covered truck and four bases (all eight with Ukrainian licence plates) exit Ukraine. The SMM noted for the first time that the damaged roof of the border crossing point complex had been dismantled.

In Kyiv the SMM monitored public gatherings. In front of a building on Hrushevskoho Street the SMM saw a gathering of 100 people (mostly elderly men), who were demanding the increase of pensions of retired security officers. About 30 police officers and National Guard officers were present. In front of the Kyiv City Hall building the SMM observed a gathering of 120-150 men (mostly middle age) wearing green and yellow vests with a sign “Ukrainian recyclable resources”. At around 10:40 four trucks arrived and around 30 to 40 people unloaded a number of big garbage bags, lining them in two rows in front of the City Hall building. Around 11:00 the number of people gathered increased to 250. There were about 80 police officers present and 12 police cars parked nearby. In front of the Parliament building, the SMM observed about 300 people (mostly elderly men). One of the participants told the SMM that they were demonstrating for pensioners’ rights. At 12:30 some 100 participants moved to the Independence Square, where they temporally blocked Khreshchatyk Street. After one and half hour they went back to the Parliament. During the demonstration 50-100 police officers and National Guard officers were present.

In Ivano-Frankivsk city the SMM observed a gathering of 150 people (mostly men, over 45 years old) in front of the building of the Regional National Police. One of the participants told the SMM that they were former law enforcement officers protesting against low pensions and loss of their benefit after the police reform. All gatherings passed off peacefully.

The SMM continued monitoring in Kherson, Odessa, Lviv, Kharkiv, Dnipro, and Chernivtsi.

*Restrictions of SMM’s freedom of movement or other impediments to fulfilment of its mandate

The SMM’s monitoring and freedom of movement are restricted by security hazards and threats, including risks posed by mines, unexploded ordnance, and other impediments – which vary from day to day. The SMM’s mandate provides for safe and secure access throughout Ukraine. All signatories of the Package of Measures have agreed on the need for this safe and secure access, that restriction of the SMM’s freedom of movement constitutes a violation, and on the need for rapid response to these violations. They have also agreed that the JCCC should contribute to such response and co-ordinate mine clearance.

Denial of access:

• The SMM was not able to proceed further south on a road leading to the Siverskyi Donets river (inside the disengagement area) from the government checkpoint north of the Stanytsia Luhanska bridge, as Ukrainian Armed Forces personnel present at the checkpoint was not able to guarantee the SMM’s safety due to the presence of mines in the area. The SMM informed the JCCC.
• The SMM observed a mine hazard sign south-east of an “LPR” checkpoint south of the Stanytsia Luhanska bridge and did not proceed east towards a summer cottage area (inside the disengagement area). Armed men at the “LPR” checkpoint told the SMM that the area had not been demined. The SMM was not able to proceed east. The SMM informed the JCCC.
• The SMM was not able to proceed further west on the road leading from the Prince Ihor monument south of the Stanytsia Luhanska bridge as the SMM saw a mine hazard sign on the road. Armed men present told the SMM about the possible presence of mines and unexploded ordnance (UXO) in the area. The SMM informed the JCCC.
• The SMM was unable to access secondary routes in the Zolote-Pervomaisk disengagement area from the “LPR”-controlled side. An armed “LPR” member said they could not guarantee the SMM’s safety due to the threat from mines or unexploded ordnance (UXO). The SMM informed the JCCC.
• In “DPR”-controlled Petrivske the SMM noted that no demining had taken place on the road west towards the disengagement area. The threat of mines and the absence of security guarantees prevented the SMM from using the road. The SMM informed the JCCC.
• On two separate occasions the SMM was prevented from travelling on the road between government-controlled Katerynivka and government-controlled Popasna (64 and 69km north-west of Luhansk, respectively) from both sides due to the presence of anti-tank obstacles on the road. The SMM informed the JCCC.
• The SMM was denied passage across the bridge in government-controlled Shchastia (20km north of Luhansk) from both directions. North of the bridge, Ukrainian Armed Forces personnel told the SMM there might be mines or UXO in the area. South of the bridge, an armed “LPR” member told the SMM the same thing. The SMM informed the JCCC.
• At an “LPR” checkpoint near “LPR”-controlled Veselohorivka (64km west of Luhansk) armed men prevented the SMM from entering to the village, stating that they had received an order from their “superior” not let the SMM enter. The SMM informed the JCCC.

[1] Please see the annexed table for a complete breakdown of the ceasefire violations as well as map of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions marked with locations featured in this report.

[2] This hardware is not proscribed by the provisions of the Minsk agreements on the withdrawal of weapons.